Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 10:00 p.m
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Newborn in mother’s arms PHOTO Pixabay
When faced with the angelic smile of a friend’s newborn, it’s tempting to cover their adorable face with kisses.
But don’t — because doctors warn that kissing a baby that isn’t yours could be fatal for it.
Dr. Karan Rajan warned his 5.3 million followers on TikTok that our faces and mouths are full of millions of microscopic bacteria and viruses that can easily be passed on to a newborn. While adults and older children have fully developed immune systems so contact with germs only results in a mild cold, the same is not true for babies under three months.
A baby’s immune system is still in “training” to fight off foreign intruders, and while it may have developed some defenses against the bacteria and viruses on its parents’ faces, it won’t be ready to fight those it’s exposed to for the first time .
This means that a bacteria or virus carried by a visitor could cross the blood-brain barrier, leading to life-threatening complications.
The surgeon issued the warning in response to a video of a woman putting cling film over her face because she is desperate to kiss her newborn granddaughter.
But Dr Raj said it’s much safer to avoid kissing altogether, in his clip which has amassed 3.2 million views. “These little ‘gremlins’ have an immune system that is going through a ‘software update,'” said Dr. Raj. It is very immature and makes them more susceptible to infection.
“This means that even infections that cause mild symptoms in older children and adults, like a simple cold, can be life-threatening to newborns.”
Dr. Raj even suggests that extended family members and friends wait two to three months until the baby’s immune system is stronger to plan their visits.
It is believed that the benefits of an occasional kiss from parents may outweigh the risks, provided the parent is healthy with no cold or herpes symptoms.
This is because the physical connection with the parents is essential for the development of the baby, and the risk of them carrying pathogens to which the baby has not yet been exposed is lower. Experts have previously warned that certain viral infections, which can be transmitted through kissing, can lead to serious complications for young children, such as pneumonia.
Dr Muriel Meso, Consultant Pediatrician and Endocrinologist at The Portland Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK in London, told MailOnline that while adults can easily get over symptoms such as a stuffy nose, cough or fever, babies can be much more severely affected.
She gave the example of cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, which often “resolve spontaneously” in adults without the help of antiviral creams.
But in newborns, the virus can spread to the brain, causing seizures and affecting the spine.
The same is true for chickenpox: dehydration, inflammation of the brain and other organs, including the kidneys, are possible complications of chickenpox in newborns.
“If left untreated, serious complications such as pneumonia and other serious secondary infections can occur,” explained Dr. Meso.
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Well, well, well! If it isn’t the new age of parenting, where you don’t just call it new-parent-smell, you call it, "look-but-don’t-touch, or kiss, or breathe on…" I mean, it’s like we’re in a high-stakes spy movie: “Mission Impossible – The Baby Edition.”
So, a warning from the medical community, and it’s about kissing newborns? Can you believe that? For years, parents have been posting baby selfies with captions like “Kiss my cutie!” But apparently, they’re just luring in unwitting friends and family into a kind of germ warfare. Honestly, it’s like being at a club and realizing the queue is to get into a “No Touching Zone.”
Let’s break this down. Dr. Karan Rajan, a surgeon with 5.3 million followers on TikTok—because who needs to read medical journals when you can scroll your way to enlightenment?—has come out swinging, reminding us that our mouths are like a petri dish of bacteria and viruses. Kisses from a newly knighted uncle could turn a baby into a medieval… erm… well, let’s say “unwell” little tyke. Who knew a harmless little peck could lead you straight to the ICU? I mean, I get it; that cute little face is hard to resist, but it’s not worth swapping spit to end up with someone bird-flipping you from a bedside hospital chair.
Then there’s the classic image of a loving grandparent slapping cling film across their kisser, desperate to peck that grandbaby without spreading the latest strain of germs. Ah, the lengths we go to in 2024. I can just see them now, wrapped up like they’re about to take on an industrial kitchen: “See you next generation, but only if I don’t breathe in your direction!”
And Dr. Muriel Meso, she’s got it all tied up nicely, talking about how babies have their immune system still “in beta.” It’s like being a new app with bugs that need fixing. Sure, a cold sore is just a nasty inconvenience for you—more annoying than a telemarketer—but for a newborn? It’s like tossing a grenade into a kindergarten.
In summary, if you’re thinking of lavishing your love on a newborn with kisses, save your affections for the pet goldfish instead. The risks of infections after a sneeze could turn your next family gathering into something resembling a zombie apocalypse. So, when in doubt, pull out a fist bump and keep your smooches for another day. Because, remember, you wouldn’t want to be the reason they call in the “Baby Avengers.”
So, how about a little caution, folks? A pat on the head, a wave from afar, and maybe a gift of essential oils should do the trick until that little munchkin grows up and gets a fully operational immune system. Stick around, you might just hear about the next frontier in parenting: the new “Do Not Kiss” sign. It’s going to be all the rage!
**Interview with Dr. Karan Rajan: The Risks of Kissing Newborns**
*Host:* Welcome to our show, Dr. Karan Rajan! It’s always great to have you here. Today, we’re discussing a hot topic that has sparked quite a conversation: kissing newborns. You’ve caught a lot of attention on social media lately. Could you summarize what your concerns are?
*Dr. Rajan:* Thank you for having me! Yes, the core of my message is that while it might seem harmless to shower a newborn with kisses, it can actually be quite dangerous. Newborns have underdeveloped immune systems, and introducing them to germs—even those that are harmless to adults—can lead to severe infections.
*Host:* That’s really eye-opening. Many people think it’s just a sweet gesture. What kind of illnesses are we talking about here?
*Dr. Rajan:* Absolutely, many would just consider it a sign of affection. But infections that adults might brush off—like a simple cold—can be life-threatening to a newborn. We’re talking about serious complications like pneumonia or even viral infections that can affect the brain, like herpes simplex. The stakes are high for these little ones.
*Host:* It sounds like the risks are higher than we realized. You mentioned in your video that families should think about delaying visits for a couple of months. Can you elaborate on that?
*Dr. Rajan:* Sure! I recommend that friends and extended family wait two to three months before visiting newborns, especially if they have any signs of illness. This gives the baby’s immune system time to strengthen. Parents have a unique bond and can offer kisses safely, as long as they are healthy.
*Host:* That’s an interesting take. How did your perspective on kissing babies change, and what prompted you to make that video?
*Dr. Rajan:* My perspective has always been shaped by patient care—seeing how vulnerable these newborns are. The video response was prompted by seeing a woman covering her face with cling film to kiss her grandchild. While her intent was loving, I felt it was important to spread awareness about the real risks involved.
*Host:* And it seems to have resonated with many people, given the millions of views! What advice would you give to someone who wants to express love to a newborn without physical contact?
*Dr. Rajan:* Great question! Affection can be expressed in many ways beyond kissing. Gentle smiles, soft words, or simply holding their little hand can create an emotional bond. It’s all about finding alternative forms of connection that don’t put the baby at risk.
*Host:* Wise words! Thank you so much for joining us today, Dr. Rajan, and for shedding light on such an important issue. Hopefully, more people will heed your advice and keep those sweet little cheeks safe from germs.
*Dr. Rajan:* Thank you for having me! It’s essential we keep the conversation going for the health of our littlest ones.
*Host:* Absolutely! Until next time!
